The police are investigating an alleged attack on Batticaloa DIG Ravi
Waidyalankara’s son by a group of youth led by Health Minister and SLFP General
Secretary Maithripala Sirisena’s son, at the Passekudah beach, late Sunday
afternoon. Both groups had been staying at the Malu Malu Resort & Spa,
Passekudah late Sunday afternoon.

The victim has alleged that a gang led by Minister Sirisena’s son assaulted
him when he objected to his wife being photographed along with scantily clad
persons on the beach.

Following a complaint from the victim, police arrested the minister’s son and
his friends, recorded their statements and released them on police bail.

Police headquarters said that DIG Waidyalankara’s son had left the Batticaloa
General Hospital where he was rushed following the incident.

The DIG told The Island that he moved his son from the Batticaloa hospital
ICU to Colombo as some medical tests had to be performed. Responding to a query,
the police officer said that Minister Sirisena had met him on Sunday
evening.

Waidyalankara said there were lumps on his son’s head as a result of the
assault and he was rushing him to Colombo last afternoon.

"My son did not go to clash with a gang," the DIG said asking:

"But which husband would allow his wife’s photographs to be taken in that
manner?"

Responding to allegations, Minister Sirisena claimed that the DIG’s son had
grabbed his son provoking his friends. According to the minister, the DIG’s son
had been aggressive in spite of the boys assuring him that there was no attempt
to photograph his wife. The minister alleged that the DIG’s son had got himself
admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Batticaloa hospital in a bid to bring
charges against his son and his friends.

The minister on Sunday night informed Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
of the incident.

The minister alleged that the police had been unfair and ignored the fact
that the DIG’s son had provoked the incident. (SF)